More about Rubber Expansion joint

FUNCTION

Rubber Expansion Joint is flexible connector fabricated of natural or synthetic elastomers

with reinforcements to provide stress relief in piping systems due to thermal, mechanical
and other movements. It provides flexibility and concurrent movements, isolation of
vibration and noise, resistance to abrasion and chemical erosion. The other properties are:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)

Reduce Vibrations
Dampen sound transmission
Compensate Lateral, Axial, Torsional and Angular movements.
Light weight
Low movement forces
Reduce fatigue factor
Reduce Heat Loss
Corrosion, Erosion resistant
Acoustical Impedance
Greater shock resistance.

OPERATING PRINCIPLE

WREN designed Expansion Joints

are flexible, reinforced elastomers

which are used in piping systems to
meet the following major needs:
1.
To protect piping by absorbing any difference in
dimension due to temperature variation or line
movement.
2.

To protect equipment such as supports & anchors,

pumps, valves, turbines, condensors & other line
equipment by reducing equipment vibration.

3.

To provide simple connection of misaligned pipes.

4.

To improve mans comfort by limiting noise from

fluid circuits.

5.

Elimination of Noise and Vibration:

Two characteristics combine to reduce vibrations
transmitted by the pipe well and by the fluid itself.
a break in the pipe material, i.e. no metal-to-metal
contact.
A damping effect provided by the convolution in
the joint.
Movement Accomodation:

6.

Expansion and contraction,

as well as rapid movements
(dynamic stresses), are
absorbed by multidirectional
and often simultaneous
deflections:

Axial Compression
Axial Elongation
Lateral Deflection
Angular Deflection

ACCESSORIES
A.

Split Retaining Ring

All Rubber Expansion Joints are supplied with Split Retaining Ring. The Rings are
supplied to provide equal distribution of bolting stresses during fitment of the Expansion
Joint in the pipeline and assure a pressure tight seal. The Rings are made of flat steel and
galvanised with inner edges bevelled and are drilled to match respective drillings of the
Rubber Expansion Joints.
B.
CONTROL UNITS
It is advisable to use Control Units with all Rubber Expansion Joints. The Control Unit
assembly, consisting of two or more the control rods alongwith stretcher plate are placed
across the Expansion Joints from flange to flange. This minimizes possible damage of the
Expansion Joint caused by excessive motion of the bolt line, due to failure of anchor or
equipment. It also absorbs static pressure thrust developed at the joint and limits the
extension and compression movements, if required, to prevent damage to the main
equipment without hampering its basic need. Inadequate support of pipelines, incorrect
anchoring, considerable temperature variations may cause many abnormal movements.
Such undesirable and destructive movements can effectively be encountered by using
control units.

Spherical & Conical washers may also be used with the control units to achieve greater
lateral movement, if required.

C. PROTECTIVE SHIELDS/ COVER

Protective Shields/Cover should be used on the Expansion Joint that carry corrosive
chemicals or high temperature. It protects the environment in the event of leakage/ splash
& protects the Expansion Joint from fire during a flash fire.
D. COMPANION/ COUNTER FLANGES

Companion / Counter Flanges for the pipeline for which the Expansion Joint is to be
fitted is also supplied (with the Expansion Joint) if required.

DESIGN

D.WREN designs Rubber Expansion Joint as per customers requirements at its

Computer Aided Design facility, based on the following data. Selection of Expansion
Joint by the user should be based on the following points:
Mechanical Data:
1) Pipe size application.
2) Installation space
3) Flowing medium
4) Type of medium
5) Temperature of Flowing medium
6) Temperature of Surrounding atmosphere
7) Time duration at maximum temperature
8) Velocity of flowing medium
9) Surge pressure of the system
10) Test pressure of the system
11) Type of pressure i.e. Constant / Intermittent / Shock / Pulsating
12) Anchor points

The design is completed by indicating type of

A.

Elastomer Choice

1) Natural rubber
2) Neoprene rubber
3) SBR rubber
4) Buna-N/Nitrile rubber
5) GRS rubber
6) Butyle rubber
7) Cholorobutyle rubber
8) Hypalon rubber
9) EPDM rubber
10) Viton / thiorel ruber
11) Silicon rubber
12) Teflon /TFE / FEP / PTFE
B.

Reinforcement Choice

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Cotton
Rayon
Nylon
Polyester
Fibreglass

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Glass Cloth
Kevlar
Nomex
MS/ SS Ring
Wire

SPECIAL

Piping Stress Analysis for piping systems using our Expansion Joints can be provided by
us, if required, based an specified data.
TESTING

An Expansion Joint is assessed for every vital performance criterion:

The tests include:
1) Tensile strength
2) Elongation
3) Ageing properties
4) Shock absorption
5) Deflection
6) Resilience
7) Abrasion resistance
8) Heat built up
9) Life Cycle Test with load
10) Bonding strength
11) Ozone resistant test
12) Hydraulic stability test
13) Vacuum test
14) Hydraulic test

15) Stiffness test

16) Vibration test
17) Any other test as required by the customer
ADVANTAGE OVER METALLIC JOINT

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

No Fatigue Failure or Embitterment from Extended Cycling or Age.

No Vibration Fatigue
No Danger from Stress Corrosion
High Resistance to Abrasion and Erosion
Resistance to External Damage
No Corrosive Electrolytic Action
Greater Shock Resistance
More Flexible in less space
Simultaneous Axial and Lateral Deflection
No Internal Sleeves
Better Acoustical Impedance
Choice of Elastomers and Fabrics
Maintenance Free
Light and easy to Handle
Less Space Required

D.WREN

USERS

Expansion Joints provide an inexpensive and efficient solution in a wide

range of applications :
Construction

Central heating and air conditioning, hot and cold water systems.
Chemical Industry

Fluids handling systems : acids, bases, hydrocarbons, emulsions, solutions, air, gas,
steam, water etc.
Power and Energy Production

Cooling systems, Pumping stations, Condenser Inlet & Outlet etc. for conventional and
nuclear power plants.
Petroleum Industry

Cooling systems and fuel handling, petroleum & by product, gas systems.
Naval Construction

Machine cooling systems, sanitary installations, fire extinguishing systems and fluids
handling systems.
Metallurgy

Blast furnace gas, compressed air and industrial water systems.

Water Treatment

Production and distribution of drinking water, waste water treatment & Pumping
installations.
Food Industry

Drinking water and other beverage handling systems.

Building

Central heating and air conditioning systems, hot and cold water distribution systems,
risers and gas connections.
Iron and Steel

Blast furnace gas systems, industrial water and compressed air systems.
Ship building

Cooling systems for machines, sanitary utilities, fire fighting systems and various loading
& unloading systems.
Railways

Used in ducting & engine cooling system

Process Industry

Process piping in paper & pulp, chemical, primary metal & petroleum refining plants.
More than 200,000 D.WREN Rubber Expansion Joints (ranging from sizes of 25 mm NB
3000 mm NB) are in use in Thermal Power Plants, Atomic Power Plants, Chemical
Plants, Steel Plants, Ships, Paper and Pulp Mills, Sewage disposals, Oil Refinery and
Pumping Stations a total of more than 1000 projects, cumulatively valued at US $ 500
Billion throughout India, Asia & Europe WITHOUT A SINGLE CASE OF FAILURE.
INSTALLATION

Piping sections where Expansion

Joints are accommodated should
be anchored properly to take care
of Stresses / Reaction forces due
to internal pressure.
An Expansion Joint must always
be installed between two
anchoring points (fixed supports)
If it is not possible to install
anchoring
points
(support
points),stabilizing devices must be
used.

In order to avoid pipe buckling,

guide collars must be provided
regularly along the pipe length.
A guide collar must also be
provided on either side of the
Expansion Joint.
Maximum service life depends
on careful and correct
installation.Transport Expansion
Joints to area of installation in
packed condition.
Flange face of companion
flanges in pipeline should be
smooth and without any sharp
edges. For large size of
Expansion Joints installed in
horizontal ducts, lifting lugs
welded t flanges should be used
to hoist joint in position. Joints
should only be fitted after all
work on the pipeline and flanges
has been complete and anchors
and supports have been
established. This is to avoid any
accidental damage due to
welding splatter or sharp objects
and to ensure that the joints are
not overstressed.
The bolts on the flanges must be
tightened evenly. Uneven
tightening may lead to hazardous
leakage. Faulty fitting may lead
to failure of the expansion joints.

STORAGE
Expansion Joints are to be stored in a cool, dry airy covered place suitably wrapped.
Should be stored on Platform / Racks..
Storage of Rubber Expansion Joints for longer period Air Conditioned Storage is
recommended.
Should not come in contact with Acid, Alkali, Oil, Grease etc. (Irrespective of services in
which to be employed)

Should be stored vertically with integral flanges of the Rubber Expansion Joints in full
contact with rack/ flooring or parallel to rack floorings when stored in box.
The Expansion Joints should not be stored horizontally resting on the integral flange or
resting on side wall or at any angle.
To be handled with care while shifting to and from storage and to ensure no external
damage occurs.
Scores, scratches, indentation are to be strictly avoided specially on faces of the integral
flange and the inner tube.
Steel sections and accessories used alongwith the Expansion joints are to be protected
from corrosion effect. Periodical checks and adequate measures if needed should be
taken.
Steel sections and accessories should be handled properly to avoid any distortion during
handling.
Expansion joints in crate packed condition should be unloaded from transport by wire/
rope sling carefully and should be stored in clean and dry conditions and must be
protected against mechanical damage. Storage must be a covered area at a temperature 70
deg. C to 30 deg. C. Care should be taken that under no circumstances the insulation
layers of joints be allowed to get well.
Do not unpack the joints until ready for installation. Protective covers should not be
removed as long as possible.
Transport Supports such as Metal / Wooden props / struts provided between flanges
should not be removed until the joints are in position in ductwork.

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OF RUBBER EXPANSION JOINTS

WREN Rubber Expansion are maintenance free.

However Periodic inspection of the Rubber Expansion Joints prevents the following:
Detects leakages between the rubber flange of the Rubber Expansion Joint and
Companion Flanges or through the bolts, Corrective action of tightening the bolts
or replacement of flange can avoid a serious problem in future.
Detects deterioration of cover rubber which can be avoided by painting with
Chloroprene / Hypalon based paint thus ensuring longer life of the Rubber
Expansion Joint.
Detects distortion due to fitment or due to excess movements of the pipeline thus
avoiding pre-mature failure.

BUCKLING